The most frustrating thing when coming home late at night is flipping a light switch on, only to find out that the bulb is burnt out. You question the last time that you swapped out that bulb to the front entry and couldn’t imagine that it is already used up. LED bulbs can provide you with a stronger piece of mind, knowing that they last a lot longer than your typical light bulbs. How long do LED bulbs last? Most LED light bulbs have a rated lifespan of 50,000 hours. This is 50 times greater than any incandescent bulb.
Let’s take a look below at what makes them so good.
Why LED Bulbs
LED bulbs are great for extra illumination inside or outside the home. You might be paying a little more for an LED bulb, however, their longevity is worth the investment.
Each manufacturer has a listed lifespan of your LED bulb. Some company’s say as long as 10 years rated life while others list it as 5-8 years rated life. No matter what is listed on the manufacturer’s label, your lifespan of the bulb is determined by heat exposure, moisture, and how often you use the bulb itself.
Why Does My Bulb Fade
Typically, the first portion of your LED bulb to go is the capacitor. Luckily, manufacturers have gotten great at enhancing their technologies and giving you a longer-lasting bulb. Luckily, the bulbs don’t fade out so fast. It is a slow process that you eventually begin to notice as the lights seem to dim more than usual.
Most bulbs become noticeably less in power at around 70% of their original lumens and as your hours per day usage increases. So, the L70 rating stands for L (Lumens) at 70%. Conversely, when the label says the bulb can last for 25,000 hours, that simply means, after 25,000 hours of usage the LED bulb is now producing 70% of its actual light capability.
How Can I Make Them Last
Your best bet for making any light bulb last longer is by shutting it off when it is not needed. Leaving a light on too long can reduce its life span as it emits the heat required to keep your rooms illuminated. Luckily, an LED bulb can be turned on and off without affecting its life span. Whereas, incandescent and halogen light bulbs can lose their lifespan with the constant off and on.
In addition, the heat sink in the light bulb can ensure a longer lifespan. Heat sinks are used in computers, cellphones, and LED lights to absorb and release the excess heat. This can cool the internal components and circuits involved with the electric device. It’s not a surprise that the bulbs and electronics that last the longest have high-quality heat sinks and ensure that your LED bulbs or electronic device lasts longer.
Other Recommended Maintenance
While you are learning about how long LED bulbs actually last, check whether a fire can be started by an LED light bulb or LED light strips. You never know what the heat source might do to your light fixtures. It does appear to be fairly safe though.
Knowing how to reset your circuit breaker is also very important. Light bulbs or light fixtures can often cause you an issue. Understanding how to reset those breakers can save you from walking around in the dark. Do your homework and read up on the options. You can control the lighting in your home and keep everyone safe.
Finally, since you are examining your light bulb options and the circuit breaker, check your carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms. This will keep you up to date on all of your health and safety needs.
When Do I Call A Professional
Calling on a professional contractor when dealing with lighting fixtures and your light bulb options is not a bad idea. They can double-check your wiring and fixtures to make sure that you are using the correct light bulbs. Although LED light bulbs are highly desirable, it does not mean they are meant for every type of light fixture.
It is also a great idea to reach out to your local home inspection team for your home inspection. They might find issues of greater concern regarding your electrical setup and can recommend some important projects. You can also get a referral to a reputable licensed electrical contractor from your local home inspection team.
Conclusion
Getting a full home inspection prior to any light fixture changes or upgrades is a great idea. The home inspection team can provide your project needs to you before you just go purchase LED light bulbs. A lot of issues with possible tripped breakers and light bulb failure can be avoided by getting your electrical inspected. Twin State inspections will conduct a quality home inspection in the Twin State areas of VT and NH.
